Material gathering and loading machine



E G m L T R A C F.

MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet@ Filed May 20, 195B May 2l, 1940- F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE Filed May 2o, 419:58 5 sheets-sheet 2 gw. xm, SW

May 21, 1940. F. CARTLIDGE MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed May 2o, 195sl F. CARTLIDGE` MATERIAL GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 4 Filed May 20, 1938 F. CARTLIDGE MAIERIL- GATHERING AND LOADING MACHINE May 2l, 1940.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 205 1958 iii/105 Patented MayvZl, 1940 MATERIAL` GATHERING VAND LOADING MACHINE Frank Cartlidge, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 20, 1938, Serial No. 208,969

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in material gathering and loading machines particularly adapted for loading coal at the working face of a mine. y

vThe principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and efcient Vmachine of the character described of a low overall height suitable for operation in thin seams of coal, including a novel form and arrangement of conveyers and hopper construction between the elevating and discharge conveyers insuring a continuous flow of material between the conveyers when in various positions of adjustment with respect to each other and permitting utmost flexibility of movement of the conveyors and still retaining the vdimensions of the machine to the low limits requisite for operation in thin 'seams kof coal. l

'An application Serial No. 108,189, led by me October 29, 1936, discloses a loading machine of a type somewhat similar to that shown by my present invention. My present invention, however, differs therefrom in the conveyer arrangement and closure means between the `discharge and ele-vating conveyers.

Other objects of the invention will appear from time to time as the following description proceeds.

This invention may best be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

'Figure l is a view in side elevationi of a machine constructed in accordance with. my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1 showing parts in section and showing the eXtreme ends of the front Aand rear conveyers broken away;

Figure 3 is an enlarged View, of the central portion of the machine in side elevation, with parts broken away and shown in substantially longitudinal section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the central portion of the machine drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure 3, with parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary front end view of the machine drawn to the same scale as Figure 4,

`with the elevating conveyer broken away, showalong line 7 1 of Figure 4 and drawn to a slightly larger scale than Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a detailed fragmentary view in side elevation showing certain details of the hopper arrangement between the discharge and receiving ends of the elevating and discharge conveyers; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic fragmentary plan view of the central portion of the machine showing the conveyers in a different position than in Figure 2, in order to show certain details of the hopper arrangement not shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to the details of the machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main elements thereof consist of a wheeled truck or main frame I0, an inclined elevating conveyer II projecting from the front end of said main frame and having gathering mechanism I2 on the forward end thereof, and a discharge conveyer I3 extending from beneath the rear end of said'elevating ccnveyer and thence rearwardly in extended overhanging position beyond the rear end of said main frame so as to discharge material into cars or the like.

The main operating parts of the machine are driven from amotor I5 supported at the rear end of the main frame ID between side frame members I6, I6 thereof. Said motor has power connections for driving the truck wheels, for swinging the gathering and loading element in a horizontal plane, for raising or lowering said gathering and loading element relative to the ground, and for driving the gathering devices and associated conveyer.

The truck driving connections are provided through a main transmission gear case I8 disposed in front of the motor and are similar to those described in my prior Patent No. 2,027,091 which issued on Jan. 7, 1936. 'Said driving connections are no part of my present invention so will not herein be shown or described in detail.

The drive connections to the elevating conveyer II and gathering mechanism I2 include a shaft I9 which is driven from the motor I5 in a manner similar to that shown in my aforementioned prior patent. Said shaft extends from the maintransmission gear case I8 and has a bevel pinion 20 mounted on its front end which meshes `with and drives a bevel gear 2|. Said bevel gear is journaled in the truck frame I0 for rotation about a vertical axis on a bearing 22 mounted on a vertical shaft 23. Said shaft is mounted in and extends upwardly from a boss 24 projecting upwardly from the truck frame. Said boss forms a. bearing support for a swiveled vso l gear casing and support frame 2.5 for the front elevating conveyer. Said support frame rests on and has slidable bearing engagement with a forwardly projecting portion 28 of the frame for said truck. The bevel gear 2l meshes with and drives a bevel pinion 26 on the rear end of a longitudinal shaft 21. Said shaft is journaled in said gear casing and support frame and extends in a forward and angularly upwardk direction along said frame. A bevel pinion 29 is mounted on the other end of said shaft and meshes with and drives a bevel gear 30, secured to a transversely extending shaft 3 Ii, for driving said shaft. Said last mentioned shaft is journaled adjacent its ends in said gear casing and support frame and projects from the side of said casing which is its left hand side when looking towards the forward end of the machine. A sprocket 32 is mounted on the projecting end of said shaft and forms a means for driving the elevating conveyer Il and gathering mechanismy I2. Said last mentioned shaft besides forming a drive member fo'r said elevating conveyer also has gearing connected thereto intermediate the ends thereof for swinging said conveyer from side to side about the pivotal axis of the frame 25 and yelevating or lowering the forward end of said conveyer with respect to the ground in a manner which will hereinafter more clearly appear a this specification proceeds.

The elevating conveyer Il includes an inclined vertically swingable elevating section 33 and a rearwardly projecting horizontal discharge section 35 which is fixed against vertical movement. Said inclined elevating section includes a pair of spaced apart side frame rnembers'l, 31-having upwardly and outwardly iiared sides. Said' side frame members are connected together by a plate 39 extending therealong and forming a bottom for the conveyer. A pair of bearing bosses 55, 55 project laterally from the outer sides of the upper rear end of said side frame members. Said bosses form a pivoted bearing support for said inclined section and are pivotally mounted adjacent the upper forward end of the gear casing and support frame 25 on a pair of spaced apart bearing support members 34, 34, herein shown as being of a split construction.

The horizontal discharge section ofY said elevating conveyer is xedly mounted on` the upper side of said gear casing and support frame and extends rearwardly from said inclined section. Said discharge section is arranged in cascade relationship with respect to a receiving hopper like section 36 of the discharge conveyer. I3, which is likewise fixed from vertical movement, and which is disposed closely adjacent the lower portion of said horizontal discharge section.

An apron 49 extends across the forward end of the side frame members 31, 31 and upwardly along opposite sides thereof and forwardly therefroml to the ground, and forms a support for 'the gathering mechanism l2. Said gathering mechanism may be of a type similar to that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,666,137 of Dec. 29, 1936, and includes a pair of spaced endless chains 42, 42 guided for orbital movement along opposite sides of said conveyer and having spaced apart gathering arms 43, 43 projecting laterally therefrom.`

The discharge section 35 of the elevating conveyer Il includes a pair of side frame members 44, 44 connected together by a horizontal plate 45 which forms a bottom for the conveyer. `An idler shaft 46 is adjustably journaled in said side frame members adjacent the discharge end therewhich drive a transverse shaft 6l.

of and, as herein shown, has a pair of idler rollers 41, 41 mounted thereon, about which the conveying element turns (see Figures 3 and 6).

The conveying element includes a pair of spaced apart endless chains 49, k4!! having transversely disposed flights 50, 59 connected therebetween at intervals therealong. Said flights have beveled advance and retreating conveying surfaces, the advantage of which will hereinafter more clearly appear as this specification proceeds. Said chains extend upwardly along the plates 39 and 45 and around-the idler rollers 41, 41. From said idler rollers said chains extend forwardly over .guide rollers 5I, 5I disposed beneath the plate 45, and under drive sprockets 53, 53 on a transversely extending shaft 54 journalled in the bearing bosses 55, 55 coaxial with the axis of verytical yadjustment of said elevating conveyer.

From said drive sprockets said endless chains extend downwardly along the under side of the plate 39 to and around suitable idler rollers at the forward end thereof, and thence upwardly along the upper side of said plate.

The transverse shaft 54 is driven from the sprocketz on the outer end of the shaft 3| by means of a chain and sprocket drive generally indicated by reference character 51, and a suitable friction clutch (not shown) disposed coaxial with said shaft. Said friction clutch is of an ordinary construction and is no portion of my present invention so will not herein be shown or described in detail.

The endless gathering chains 42, 42 are herein shown asbeing driven from the shaft 54 by meansv of a pair of universal drive shafts 59, 59 in a manner similar to that shown and described in a prior application Serial No. 172,895 filed by me on November 5, 1937. Said shafts extend along the outer sides of the conveyer and are driven from the shaft 54 by means of a pair of meshing spur gears indicated by reference character 60, A pair of meshing bevel gears 62, 62 are disposed adjacent each end of said shaft and are driven therefrom and rotatably drive the shaftsy 59, 59. gear drive of an ordinary construction (not Shown) may be provided from the forward ends of each of said universal drive shafts to said endless gathering chains for driving said chains.

A compression spring 64 is interposed between A bevel zoy circles a cylindrical member or pipe 65 encircling and mounted for slidable movement with respect to a shaft 56. flanged collar 61 secured thereto and abutting one end of said spring. Said shaft is provided with an` integrally formed yoke 58 which is pivotally connected to a forward projection 69 of said support frame by means of a pivotal pin 1l) (see Fig, 3). A flanged collar 1| is secured to the upper end of the pipe 65 and is abutted by the upper end of said spring. A yoke 12 projecting upwardly from said pipe is pivotally secured to a bracket member 13, projecting downwardly from the central portion of the frame for said elevating conveyer (see Figure l).

The forward end of the inclined conveyer Il is elevated or lowered with respect to the ground by means of a pair of spaced apart threaded shafts 14, 14 threaded within the hubs of worm gears `15, 15. Said worm gears are journaled on their hubs in housings 16, 16 projecting laterally from opposite sides of the gear casing and Support frame 25,v and are meshed with worms 11, 11 on The lower end of said shaft has a opposite ends of a transversely extending shaft 19. A member 86 slidably guided in a guide 8| formed in an upwardly projecting portion 82 of the housing 'I6 is secured to the upper end of the threaded shaft Ill (see Figures 3 and 5). A roller 83 is rotatably mounted in said member and engages an inclined surface 34 ofV a foot 85 depending from the side frame member 31 of the conveyer frame (see Fig. 3). ment of said shafts and rollers will pivot the inclined portion 33 of said elevating conveyer in a vertical plane.`

The drive to the shaft 'I9 includes a bevel pinion 86 mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 81. Said bevel pinion is driven from the bevel gear 36. vA bevel pinion 88 is mounted on the upper end of said vertical shaft and meshes with and drives opposing bevel gears 89, 69 freely mounted on a transversely extending sleeve 96 (see Figure 5). Said bevel gears are selectively connected with said sleeve by means of a pair of friction clutches 9|, 9| herein shown as being of the friction disk type. A chain and sprocket drive generally indicated by reference character 93 is provided to operatively connect said sleeve with the shaft 19.

The drive for swinging said elevating conveyer from side to side includes a pair of oppositely disposed bevel gears 94, 94 mounted coaxial with the transverse shaft 3| and adapted to be operatively connected with said shaft by means of suitable friction clutches generally indicated by reference characters 95, 95 (see Figure 4). Said clutches are of an ordinary construction well known to those skilled in the art and are no portion of my present invention so will not herein be shown or described in detail. A bevel gear 96 mounted on a shaft 9'I meshes with and is selectively driven from either of said ilrst mentioned bevel gears. A worm 98 is mounted on the shaft 6l and meshes with and drives a worm gear 99 on a vertical shaft |66. A sprocket I6I is secured to the lower end of said shaft and meshes with a suitableV drive lchain |62. Said drive chain is yieldably secured at its ends to opposite sides of the truck frame I6 and extends around the forward end thereof so that rotation of said sprocket will cause swinging movement of said gathering andloading element.

With reference now in particular to the discharge conveyer I3, the receiving hopper like section 36 thereof, which is best ,shown in Fig-` ures 2, 3, 4, and 9, is disposed centrally of the axis of turning movement oi said discharge and elevating conveyers and underlaps the discharge end of the elevating conveyer I in relatively close relationship with respect thereto, and the Ispacing between the chains of said conveyers is less thany the radius of the loop subscribed by the outside of the chain 66 as it turns around the direction changing device 47. Said receiving hopper like section includes a pair of spaced apart sideframe members |63, |63 secured at their lower ends to a turntable |66 (see Figure 6). Said turntable rests on a plate |65, forming a portion of the truck frame, and is guided on said plate for rotatable movement about an axis coaxial with the axis of pivotal movement of the gear casing and support frame 25, by an annular shouldered guide member |66 secured to said plate by means of cap screws. The shouldered portion of said guide member engages an annular shouldered recess formed in said turntable to prevent upward tilting movement of said turntable with respect tonsaid plate. A

Thus rectilinear movef beneath the plate |I6.

A discharge section |61 of said discharge conveyer is pivotally connected to the hopper like section 36 of said discharge conveyer, on a horizontal transversely disposed shaft |69, which is mounted adjacent the rear end of the side frame ymembers |63, |63 of said hopper like section (see Figure 4). Vertical adjustment of said discharge section of said receiving conveyer, to accom--l modate said conveyer to cars of varying heights is effected by means of a pair of spaced apart adjusting screws I I6, I I6 mounted on opposite sides of the side frame members I6, i6 of the truck I6 and secured at their upper ends to an arcuate shaped support member III which forms a slidable support for said discharge conveyer (see Figures l and 2). Said adjusting screws are rectilinearly moved by power to raise or lower said arcuate shaped support member and discharge conveyer in a manner similar to that described in my prior Patent No. 2,666,137, so the power drive thereto will not herein be shown or described in detail.

Swinging of said discharge conveyer from side to side is effected by means of a sprocket |I2 meshing with a drive chain |68 which is yieldably secured at its ends to opposite sides of thesupport member III (see Figure 2). Said sprocket is driven from a motor I I3, mounted on the side 0f said conveyer frame which is its left hand side when looking towards the front of the machine, by means of a suitable gear reduction train which is not herein shown or described since it is no part of my present invention.

The means for moving material along said hopper like section and discharge section includes a pair of spaced apart endless chains II4, IIA connected together by fiights I I5, I I5 at suitable intervals. Said flights have beveled forward and retreating faces and are similar tothe flights 56, 56. Said endless chains extend around direction changing devices |I6, IIB on a `transverse shaft III mounted at the forward end of vsaid hopper like section betweenthe side frame member |63, |63. From said direction changing devices said endless chains extend upwardly along a plate I I8 mounted between said side frame members, and a plate III) mounted between side frame members |26,` I 26 of the discharge section |61, to the rear ward end of said discharge section. At this point said endless chains are trained arounda suitable direction changing device at the rear end of said discharge section (not shown) and from thence extend forwardly along said discharge section Said endless chains are driven from the motor I I3 in a suitable manner, which is not herein shown or described since it is no part of my present invention.

A horizontalvU-shaped plate |2| extends around the upper forward end of the hopper like receiving section 36 and rearwardly along the outer sides of the side frame members |63, |63 (see Figures 2, 3, and 9). The inner central portion of said plate overlaps the chains II4, H4 and flights |I5, II5 at their forward turning point' and underlaps the chains 49, 49 and flights 56, 56 and serves to check i the tendency of said flights to carry material towards the forward end of the machine. `In cases where the material case may be, or deflect them from the respective flights. This will prevent fouling of the conveyers, and lump coal or rock which might be moved in a forward direction by the returning iiights Eil, 58 will be engaged with the edge of the plate 22| by said flights and be sheared by said flights and plate.

This construction and arrangement of conveyers, besides aiding in maintaining the vertical dimensions of the machine to those necessary for operation in thinsearns of coal, also prevents the lower run of the elevating conveyer from carrying material towards the forward end of the machine and enables the discharge conveyer to pick up loose material discharged from the `elevating conveyer while it is still moving towards the discharge end of the machine. This reduces the tendency for material to pile up at the re ceiving end of the discharge conveyer and insures a continuous ow of material from one end of the machine to the other when both conveyers are in operation.k

Referring now in particular to the novel form of adjustable side wall construction'between said elevating and discharge conveyers, a means is provided to retain the material within the lateral boundaries of the discharge conveyer as closely as possible and to prevent undue widening of the stream of material at the discharge point of said elevating conveyer, so that the kinetic energy of the material will not be lost upon its transfer from one conveyer to the other and thus causing the flow of coal between the two conveyers to bev continuous when the conveyers are in various positions of adjustment with respect to each other, Said means includes an extensible side wall connection between the rear end of the discharge section 35 and the hopper like section 36, which includes the horizontal plate |2| which forms a base along which the extensible side walls may slidably move (see Figures 2, 6, and 9). The details of said telescopic side walls arebest shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9,

i and said side walls Vinclude a pair of pivoted curved side walls |22, |22, which extend rearwardly along said plate from opposite sides of the discharge section 35 of the elevating conveyer Pivot pins |24, |24 pivotally connect said side walls to laterally extending forked brackets 23, |23 projecting laterally from the side frame members kMl, i4 of said discharge section, adjacent the rear end thereof. A compression spring |25 encircles each pin |24 and is interposed between an upper portion of said bracket 'f and a hinge portion of said side wall to permit yieldable movement of said side wall in an upward direction, and thus prevent binding in cases where coal might become wedged between the plate |2| and said side wall.

The side walls |22, |22 are provided with a relatively vertical lower wall portion and an outwardly and upwardly extending upper retaining portion forming in eect a flared hopper which includes the plate |2| and receiving section 36. A slot |26 extends longitudinally along the lower -wall portion of each of said side Walls and is adapted to be engaged by a guide member |27 secured to and extending outwardly from an extensible side wall |28 (see Figure '7). A retaining member |29 abuts the outer side of the guide member |21 and, as herein shown, is secured to the wall |28 by the same member which secures said guide thereto, and slidably engages the outer side of the side Wall |22. The side Wall |28 is curved to conform to the formation of the side wall |22 and also has a transverse cross section which corresponds to that of the side wall |22.

The side walls |28, |28 are each provided with a pin i3d at the free end thereof, the ends of which pins project above and below said side walls. The lower end of each of said pins is slidably guided in a grooved guide |3| formed in the plate |2| and the upper projecting end of each of said pins is guided in a guide groove |32 formed in the underside of a plate |33 secured to and projecting laterally from the side frame members |63, |03 (see Figures 7 and 8). Each of said guides is herein shown as being of a rectilinear f formation and extends along the outer side. of

the discharge section ll of said discharge conveyer in a forwardly diverging. direction from the conveyer.

Closure members |313, |343 are pivotally connected tothe outer sides of each Side frame member |63 adjacent the forward end of the discharge section Ill?, to yieldably engage the side walls |22, |22 and |28, |28 and prevent material from clogging the grooved guides |3|, 3|. Each of said closure members is provided with a lower inwardly extending horizontal portion |35 which rests on the plate |2| and serves to extend over and close the guide |3| when the `conveyers are in a position where said guide would normally be open, such as is shown by dotted lines in Figure 4, Each of said members is yieldably engaged with the inner sides of said side walls by means of a tension spring |36 secured at one of its ends to the frame of said hopper like section of said discharge conveyer, and secured at its opposite endto a lever arm |31 which extends from the lower end of a shaft |38, upon which said closure member is secured. y

It will be seen from the foregoing that the pivoted and extensible side walls |22, |22 and |28, |28 closely conne the coal within the limits of the discharge conveyer when the two conveyers are in Various positions of adjustment with respect to each other, and that this arrangement of side walls together with the spacing between the conveyers at their discharge and receiving ends, which reduces vertical clearance to the minimum necessary to permit the conveyers to freely travel with respect to each 'other when loaded, lessens the tendency of the material to lose momentum upon being transferred from one conveyer to the other and pile up 4in the hopper section of thedischarge conveyer when the two conveyers are running.

It will also be seen that the arrangement and construction of the elevating and discharge conveyers is such that the low overall dimensions of the machine are maintained when the conveyers are in various positions of adjustment with respect to each other in both horizontal and vertical planes by constructing the elevating conveyer in two sections, one of which is stationary in a vertical direction and forms a relatively short discharge section, and the otherof which is vertically swingable with respect to said stationary section; and by providing a discharge conveyer adjustable in a horizontal plane about the axis of pivotal adjustment of said elevating conveyer which includes a receiving section which underlaps said discharge section in relatively close relation with respect thereto, and which is mounted so as to be immovable in a vertical direction, and a discharge section pivotally connected to said receiving section for movement about a horizontal transverse axis disposed adjacent the rear end of said receiving section, thus permitting' a greater range of adjustment of said elevating and discharge conveyers without the sacrifice of height.

It will further be seen that the plate I2! disposed between the two conveyers, together with the beveled advance faces of the flights of said conveyers, prevents fouling of the conveyers with large lumps of material such as rock, or coal of a hard nature, and thus permits the discharge and receiving ends of the respective conveyers to be spaced with less vertical clearance than formerly.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims. I claim as rmy invention:

` 1. In a loading machine, a frame, an elevating conveyer extending forwardly of said frame and mounted on saidV frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a discharge conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers to confine the material to the path of said discharge conveyer `when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships Awith respects to each other including a relatively horizontal plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyor, a pair of side walls adapted to slidably move along said plate, said side walls having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said elevating conveyer at points disposed adjacent the discharge end thereof, another pair'of side walls adapted to slide on said plate, each of said latter side walls having slidable engagement with one of said first mentioned side walls at one of their ends, and having slidable guiding connection with said plate at their opposite ends.

2. In a loading machinepa frame, an elevating conveyer extending forwardly ofsaid frame and mounted on said frame forpivotalmovement about a vertical axis, a discharge conveyer mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connectionl between said conveyers to confine the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other including a relatively hoizontal plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of yconcavely curved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, each of said side walls having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said elevating `conveyer at points spaced laterally from the sides thereof, another pair of curved side walls, each of said latter side walls having slidable engagement with one of said first mentioned curved side walls at one of their ends so as to extensibly move with respect thereto and liaving slidable guiding connection with said plate at theiropposite ends.

3. In a loading machine, a frame, an elevating conveyer extending forwardly of said frame and mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a discharge conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible sidewall connection between said conveyers to confine the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other including a relativelyhoizontal plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, apair of concavely curved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, each of said side walls having pivotal connection with its respective side of said elevating ,conveyer at points spaced laterally from the sides thereof, ano-ther pair of curved side walls, each of said latter side walls having slidable engagement with one of said first mentioned curved side walls at one end so `as to extensibly move with respect thereto, a pair of rectilinear guides formed in the upper side of said plate, each of said guides being spaced from a side of said discharge conveyer and extending therealong in a forwardly direction in diverging relationship with respect thereto, and guiding connections between 'said guides and the opposite ends of said last mentioned curved side walls. l

4. In a loading machine, a frame, an elevat- -ing conveyer extending forwardly of said frame and mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about afvertical axis, a discharge conveyer having -a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers to confine the material to the pathv of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other including arelatively horizontal plate extending along the sides'and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of concavely curved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, each of said side walls having pivotal connection with its respective side of said elevating conveyer at points spaced laterally from the sides thereof, another pair of curved side walls, each of said latter side walls having extensible connection with one of said first mentioned curved side walls, a pair of rectilinear guides formed in the upper side of said plate, each of said guides being spaced from a side of said discharge conveyer and extending therealong, guiding conn nections between said guides and said last mentioned curvedside walls, and means to prevent the accumulation of material in said guides comprising a pair of closure members mounted on opposite sides of said discharge conveyer and having yieldable engagement with the inner sides of said side walls. f

5. In a loading machine, a frame, an elevating conveyer pivotally mounted on said frame for movement about a vertical axis, a discharge conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers to confine the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other including a relatively horizontal plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of concavely curved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, each of said side walls having pivotal connection with one side ofsaid elevating conveyer, another-.pair of lcurved sidewalls, each of said lill latter side walls having extensible connection with one of said first mentioned curved side walls, a pair of rectilinear guidesin the upper side of said plate, each of said guides extending along an outer side of said discharge conveyer, guiding connections between said guides and said last mentioned curved side walls, and means toV prevent the accumulation of material in said 'guides complising a pair of closure members, said A veyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the dischargev end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers to conne the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect yto each other including a plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge oonveyer, a pair of curved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, said side walls having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said elevating conveyer,` another pair of curved side walls, said' last mentioned side walls having extensible connection with said Viirst mentioned curved side walls,

a pair of rectilinear guides in the upper side of said plate, each of said guides extending along the outer side ofsaid discharge conveyer, a pair of plates spaced above said rst mentioned plates, said plates each having a guide aligned with said respective guide in said lower plate in the underside thereof, and means on said last mentioned curved side walls having slidable engagement with said upper and lower guides.

7. In a loading machine, a frame, an elevating conveyer mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a discharge conveyer having a receiving end disposed beneath the discharge end of said elevating conveyer, and an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers to conne the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other including a plate extending along the sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of Acurved side walls having slidable engagement with the upper side of said plate, each of said side walls having `pivotal connection with its respective side of said elevating conveyer, another pair of curved side walls, each of said latter side walls being mounted for extensible movement with respect to said rst mentioned side walls, a pair of rectilinear guides formed in said plate and extending along opposite sides of said discharge conveyer, a pair of plates spaced above said first mentioned plate, each oi said plates having a guide aligned with said respective guide in said lower plate in the underside thereof, means on said last mentioned side walls having slidable engagement with said guides, and means to prevent the accumulation of material in said lower guides comprising a pair of closure members, `said closure members being pivotally mounted adjacent opposite sides of said discharge conveyer for yieldable engagement with said side walls and having a portion resting on said plate and covering said lower guides.

8. vIn a low Yvein loading machine, a track mounted truck, an elevating conveyer mounted on said truck for swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and including conne the material to the path of said discharge conveyer `when said conveyers` arex disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other comprising an extensible side wall connection between said conveyersincluding a plate extendingr along the upper sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of side walls having slidable engagement with said plate and having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said elevating conveyer at points disposed adjacent but spaced laterally from the discharge end thereof, another pair of side walls, each of said latter side walls having slidable engagement with `one of said rst mentioned side,

walls, said plate having a pair of spaced guides extending along opposite sides of said discharge conveyer, and slidable guiding connections between said last mentionedY side walls andk said guides.

9. In a low vein loading machine, a track mounted truck, an elevating conveyer mounted on said truck for swinging movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis and including an inclined elevating portion mounted for vertical adjustment about a horizontal transverse axis disposed above and adjacent the forward end of said truck and a horizontal discharge portion xed against vertical movement with respect to said truck, a discharge conveyer mounted on said truck for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said discharge conveyer extending rearwardly along said truck from a point disposed forwardly of the discharge end of said elevating conveyer in'close vertical relationship with respect to said elevating conveyer, and means to rconi-lne the material to the path of said discharge conveyer when said conveyers are disposed in various angular relationships with respect to each other comprising an extensible side wall connection between said conveyers including a plate extending along the upper sides and across the forward end of said discharge conveyer, a pair of side walls having slidable engagement with said plate and having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said elevating conveyer at points disposed adjacent but spaced laterally from the discharge end thereof, anotherrpair of side walls, each of said latter side walls having slidable engagement with one of said rst mentioned side walls, a pair of guides formed in said plate and extending along opposite sides of said discharge conveyer, slidable guiding connections between said last mentioned side walls and said guides, and means to prevent the accumulation of material in said guides including closure members having pivotal connection with opposite sides of said discharge conveyer and having yieldable engagement with said side walls.

FRANK CARTLIDGE.

eee 

